WASHINGTON-(MaraviPost)-US President Donald Trump has announced expanded entry restrictions on foreign nationals from 24 countries, citing “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that pose national security and public safety risks.
The new proclamation includes full suspensions for eight countries and partial suspensions for 16 others, affecting both immigrants and certain nonimmigrants, including travelers and students on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.
Countries facing full suspension include Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Syria, and individuals using Palestinian Authority–issued or endorsed travel documents.
The administration cited terrorism concerns, conflict and instability, high visa overstay rates, and claims that countries have not consistently accepted the return of removable nationals.
The partial suspension list includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The administration cited a mix of overstay rates, screening challenges, and concerns around certain citizenship-by-investment programs.
The White House said the steps are intended to prevent entry of individuals the US lacks sufficient information to vet, while enforcing immigration laws and advancing national security objectives. Restrictions on some Turkmenistan nonimmigrant visas are lifted while immigrant entry remains suspended.
The affected countries are spread across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Oceania.
Nigeria’s inclusion has raised concerns, with the country’s foreign minister expressing worries about the impact on trade deals and energy partnerships.
Trump defended the expanded entry restriction, saying it builds on his previous policies aimed at protecting national security and public safety. The Supreme Court has upheld similar restrictions in the past, ruling they are within presidential authority.
The move has sparked debate, with some arguing it undermines global cooperation and trade opportunities.
As the US continues to tighten its immigration policies, the impact on affected countries and individuals remains to be seen.
